Recent legislative developments in Europe showcase policymakers’ diverging approaches to cryptocurrencies and a wider array of non-monetary Blockchain applications. Crypto regulation is tightening, driven by the tide of anti money laundering measures that the European Parliament approved last week.
This, however, does not mean they are not embracing Blockchain’s potential beyond currency. On April 10, Europe came one step closer to establishing a common approach to the implementation and regulation of Blockchain technology. A Declaration on a European Blockchain Partnership brought together 20 EU member states, Norway, and the departing United Kingdom in an expression of a shared vision and policy goals. The agreement, sealed during the European Commission’s Digital Day 2018, offers a number of insights into how the continent’s policymakers conceive of Blockchain’s potential uses and governance.